Machine and improvement therein for laying surfacing material such as asphalt or the like



United States Patent 2,586,396 2/l952 Trampler 2,663,23l 2,847,9l7

lnventors Appl. No. Filed Patented Assignee MACHINE AND IMPROVEMENTTHEREIN FOR LAYING SURFACING MATERIAL SUCH AS ASPHALT OR THE LIKE 7 Ciaims. 8 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 94/44 lnt.Cl E0lc 19/12 Field of Search 94/44, 46

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS lZ/l953 Wood 8/1958 Heer et al.

Primary ExaminerJacob L. Nackenoff A!!0rneyPearce and SchaepcrklausABSTRACT: An apparatus for laying surfacing material such as asphalt orthe like comprising a vehicular machine. a hopper operatively mounted atone end of the machine, screed means disposed below the hopper forleveling off surfacing material discharged from a gate in the bottom ofthe hopper as the vehicular machine is operated over grade line, and afirst-class lever system for controlling the height of the screed meansand by which the depth of a layer ot'discharged material duringoperation of the apparatus is determinable. The first-class lever systemcomprises a pair of stabilizing arms to which the screed means ispivotally connected at corresponding ends of such arms, a pair of gradeguide wheels whose axle functions as a fulcrum for the stabilizing arms.and turnbuckle, crank or equivalent means supported by the machine foradjusting the elevation of the other corresponding ends of thestabilizing arms, thereby controlling the height of the screed meansabove the grade line.

Patented Sept. 1, 1910- Sheet 1 of 3 v I If (I I 5] V U l 59. 22

Patented Sept. 1., 197 3,526,173

me swam;

Patented Sept. 1, 1970 Sheet MACHINE AND IMPROVEMENT THEREIN FOR LAYINGSURFACING MATERIAL SUCH AS ASPHALT OR THE LIKE BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The field of art to which theinvention is most likely to pertain is generally located in the class ofapparatus relating to surfacing machinery for roads, pavements,sidewalks and the like.

2. Description of the Prior Art Surfacing machinery apparatuses, the artto which this inventionmost likely pertains, are disclosed in thefollowing US. Pats. Nos. 3,029,7 14, 3,229,601 and 3,283,675.

SUMMARY This invention relates to a surfacing material apparatus andparticularly relates to such an apparatus and improvements thereinwhereby the depth of a layer or ribbon of surfacing material, such asasphaltic concrete or the like, is readily and convenientlycontrollable.

An object of this invention is to provide for a novel apparatus and/orimprovement therein for discharging, laying and grading ribbons ofsurfacing material or the like.

Another object of this invention is to provide for a simplified,economical and efficiently operating construction of a combination ofelements for discharging, laying and grading a ribbon of surfacingmaterial or the like.

A further object of this invention is to provide for a novel mechanismreadily adaptable to conventional prime movers known in the constructionindustry and associated with apparatuses for discharging, laying andgrading surfacing material, without the necessity of development of anentirely new vehicle.

A further object of this invention is to provide for an apparatus inwhich the weights of a hopper and material for discharge therefrom aresuspended about a vehicle and independently of a first-class leversystem by which control of a depth of discharged material is achievedand maintained, thereby providing for a floating screed not subject toheight variation over grade line should the vehicle or other prime moverbe suddenly subjected to a low or high transition about the grade line.

Another object of this invention is to provide for facile adjustment ofthe mechanism controlling the depth ofa laid ribbon of surfacingmaterial.

Other objects of this invention are to provide for an economicaloperation ofthe vehicle by limiting the number of its operatingpersonnel to one, and by reducing the number of personnel for manuallydressing the ribboned material after it has been laid. Experience withthis invention shows that one laborer can dress twice as much of thelaid material in a given period of time than heretofore had beenpracticed. Thus, the reduction in time and costs in a given jobapplication is advantageously achieved.

These and other objects and advantages will become more apparent uponand from a full reading of the following description, appended claimsthereto, and drawing comprising three sheets.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. I is a side elevational view of anapparatus embodying the invention and being shown in non-operationalstatus or position.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view, partly in phantom, of the apparatusembodying the invention and being shown in operative status or position.

FIG. 3 is a front fragmentary perspective view of the apparatus shown inFIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an exploded sectional view ofa portion of the apparatus shownin FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an exploded sectional view ofa portion of the apparatus shownin FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a view taken on line 66 ofFIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an exploded fragmentary perspective view of elementsconstituting a portion of the embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the embodiment ofthe invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the figures ofthe drawing in which reference characters therein correspond to likenumerals in the following description, reference character 20 (FIG. 1)refers to the apparatus embodying the invention. Apparatus 20 comprisesgenerally a vehicular machine or prime mover 22 for movement along agrade line 23 over which a ribbon of surfacing material 24, such asasphaltic concrete, is to be laid, a hopper 25 for containing asphalt 24to be laid operatively mounted at the front end of machine 22, screedmeans 26 disposed below hopper 25, grade guide wheels 28, depthstabilizing arms 30 connecting screed means 26 to means 32 for adjustingthe lever position of stabilizing arms 30 fulcrumed about grade wheels28. Means 32 is generally supported upon the frame 34 rearwardly ofmachine 22, as will be more apparent from the description hereinafter.

Hopper 25 is supported by a pair of longitudinally extending framemembers of vehicle 22 by means of a pair of bracket members 42 weldedperpendicularly (FIG. 6) to the back side 43 of hopper 25. Each bracketmember 42 is pivotally connected as at 45 (FIGS. 4, 5) to acorresponding frame member 40. Hopper 25 is further supported aboutvehicle 22 by means of a hydraulic piston actuator or fluid pressurecylinder 46 for lowering and raising hopper 25. One end of actuator 46is pivotally connected to a cross-bar 50 welded across frame members 40and its actuatable piston rod 51 is pivotally connected to a bracket 52welded to the back side 43 of hopper 25, as shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6.The lower end of hopper 25 is provided with a gate 53 hinged upon theedge of back side 43 and which is actuated by a mechanism 54 similar toactuator 46. An end of mechanism 54 is pivotally connected to bracket 52while its actuatable piston rod 55 is pivotally connected to a neck 56welded to gate 53. Upon actuation of mechanism 54, gate 53 opens andcloses accordingly.

An oil or hydraulic supply tank 58 (FIG. 1) is conveniently mounted uponmachine 22 from which hydraulic hose connections (not shown) extend tomechanisms 46, 54, for operation thereof by an operator from seat 59,through conventional associated working parts well known in the art, andwhich are not essential for disclosure of the instant invention.

Screed means 26 comprises a screed or leveling bar 62 disposed below andin trailing relationship to hopper gate 53, and having a length greaterthan the lateral width of hopper 25, and a vertically disposed flange 63cooperatively associated with a pair of side members 64, 65 extendingforwardly from the screed or ends of bar 62 and flange 63. The forwardextremity of each side member 64, 65 is pivotally supported by orconnected, as at 69 in FIG. 7, to hopper 25 by means of a bracket 68whose other end is welded or otherwise secured to a corresponding sidewall 70, 72 of hopper 25. Each of a pair of slackable chains 74 suitablyconnects screed means 26 to hopper 25 (FIG. 6) whereby elevation ofhopper 25 to a position other than an operational status or positionalso raises screed means 26, as well as grade guide wheels 28 thefunction of which is more fully described hereinafter. Chains 74 in noway interfere with the function of screed means 26 during operationaluse, but do remove grade guide wheels 28 and depth stabilizing means 30from operational status upon raising hopper 25.

Depth stabilizing means 30 comprises a pair of elongated arm members orarms 75, 76, the rear end of each of which is respectively pivotallyconnected to one of side members 64, 65 of screed means 26, in or inproximity to the plane of flange 63, i.e., rearwardly of the hoppersupport pivots 69 for arms 75, 76. The forward end of each arm 75, 76 isrespectively pivotally connected to a corresponding one of a pair ofmeans 32 (FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 5) for adjusting the elevation of such forwardends of stabilizing means 30. Each adjusting means 32 preferably takesthe form of a turnbuckle mounted generally vertically of machine andbeing pivotally connected as at 80 to a bracket member 81 welded orotherwise secured to frame 34 of machine 20 above the general plane ofstabilizing arms 75, 76. Turning adjustment of each turnbuckle 78 eitherlowers or raises the forward end of its corresponding arm 75, 76. Thepresent embodiment includes a supporting elongated member 82 to whichbracket member 81 is welded or otherwise secured thereto, with elongatedmember 82 being welded to frame 34. Member 82 includes a yoke membersection 84 (FlG. 8) for restricting or guiding its associatedstabilizing arm 75, 76 to within its vertical plane of movement duringoperational status, or during adjustment of means 32, although it shouldbe understood that practice of the invention does not demand thatelongated member 82 be included in each embodiment constructed.

The pair of wheels 28, adapted for rolling along grade line 23 whenapparatus 20 is operational, is spacedly mounted upon axle 86 bearinglymounted at its ends in a bearing support 88, as illustratively shown inFIG. 7. Bearing 88 is welded or otherwise secured to and along a pointintermediate of the length of each stabilizing arm 75, 76, preferably somounted as to have axle 86 or axis thereof, below the general plane ofstabilizing arms 75, 76. Thus, when wheels 28 engage the level of gradeline 23, such engagement determines the height above grade line 23 atwhich the skimming edge oflevelling bar 62 of screed means 26 isdisposed, such disposition being further subject to or dependent uponthe adjusted position of stabilizing arms 75, 76 as a result ofadjusting their respective turnbuckles 32.

Thus, utilization of a first-class lever system for controlling theheight of screed means 26 above grade line 23 is effected. The axis oraxle 86 of wheels 28 constitutes a fulcrum about which screed means 26,the weight end of the system, is swingable or pivotable, the pivotalconnection and adjusted position ofthe forward end of each arm 75,76constituting the power end of the lever system.

Operation of machine 20 should now be apparent. Hopper 25, with gate 53closed, is tilted forwardly by actuation of device 46, for ease of dumptruck discharge of asphaltic concrete thereinto. After machine 20 ispropelled clear of the dump truck, device 46 is actuated to raise ortilt back filled hopper until machine 20 is propelled into properposition along grade line 23. Screed means 26 remains above apredetermined height as a result of the tautness of chains 74 connectingit to hopper 25. Such predetermined height for screed means 26 may bedetermined by a comparison of the level of grade line 23, the elevationof screed means 26 thereabove and a measuring rule. Hopper 25 is lowereduntil the skimming edge of leveling bar 62 of screed means 26corresponds to the desired predetermined height above grade line 23.Turnbuckles 32 are adjusted until grade guide wheels 28 engage gradeline 23. Thereafter, hopper 25 is further lowered by additionalactuation of device 46, without materially affecting the operationalposition for screed means 26 or the elements constituting thefirst-class lever system. Gate 53 is opened by actuation of device 54,machine 22 is forwardly propelled above grade line 23, with resultingdischarge of surfacing material through gate 53, laying thereof on gradeline 23, and grading thereof to a proper depth as a result of theskimming action of screed means 26. Flange 63 and side members 64, 65ensure the laying of a ribbon only, without spewing ofexcess materialelsewhere than in the ribbon itself.

The invention comprehends utilization of a crank or other equivalentmeans for turnbuckles 32.

it should now be apparent that the invention is advantageously operatedas a result of the elements described in the above descriptioncooperating to provide an easily operable surface material laying andgrading machine. Not only is efficient loading, discharging and layingofa ribbon or surface material achieved, it is shown by experience thatdressing of the laid material is completed in approximately half thetime as one laborer can dress twice as much which heretofore was laidwith other similar apparatuses. Further a single operator for machine 22is required as compared to two operators who have been necessary foroperation of other machines of this type. Labor costs are subsequentlyreduced.

Materials, examples of which are iron and steel, and which are wellknown and utilized in the construction industry for these types ofpieces of equipment may be readily fashioned in the conventional manner,as is well known in the art, to form apparatus 20.

An additional advantage of device 46 as combined with hopper 25 is thathopper 25 is tiltable forwardly as well as being lowered. Thus, loadingof hopper 25 with asphaltic concrete or the like from a dump truck atthe scene of operations is expeditiously handled by disposition ofhopper 25 below a discharge chute of the dump truck.

Pursuant to the requirements of the patent statutes, the principle ofthis invention has been explained and exemplified in a manner so that itcan be readily practiced by those skilled in the art to which itpertains, or with which it is more nearly connected, suchexemplification including what is presently considered to represent thebest embodiment ofthe invention. However, it should be clearlyunderstood that the above description and illustrations are not intendedto unduly limit the scope of the appended claims, but that therefrom theinvention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described andexemplified herein, by those skilled in the art, and having the benefitof this disclosure.

We claim:

1. A surfacing material apparatus comprising in combination:

a prime mover;

a hopper operatively connected to one end of said prime mover;

means for opening and closing a gate in said hopper;

a screed below and in trailing relationship to said hopper gate, saidscreed having forwardly extending side members pivotally supported bysaid hopper;

a pair of depth stabilizing arms the corresponding rear ends of whichbeing pivotally connected to said side members rearwardly of saidsupport pivots;

grade guide wheels rotatably mounted upon an axle connected to saidstabilizing arms intermediate the lengths thereof, said wheels and axlefunctioning as a fulcrum for said stabilizing arms; and

means for adjusting the elevation of said stabilizing arms mountedbetween the corresponding front ends of said arms and said prime mover,whereby the height of said screed means above the grade line along whichsaid grade guide wheels roll is controlled.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said adjusting means are swingablyconnected to the frame of said prime mover adjacent the correspondingfront ends of said stabilizing arms.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 in which said adjusting means comprlsesrturnbuckles the corresponding upper ends being swingably connected tothe frame of said prime mover, the respective front ends of saidstabilizing arms being pivotally connected to the corresponding lowerends of said 4. In a machine for discharging surface material, whichmachine has a hopper and a screed for leveling the discharged surfacematerial from said hopper, the improvement comprismg:

screed means including said screed below and in trailing relationship tosaid hopper;

means for vertically adjusting the height of the screed above a gradeline;

said adjusting means comprising:

stabilizing arms having their rear ends connected to said screed, theforward ends of said arms being adjustably connected to said machine forvertical adjustment; and grade guide wheels supporting said armsintermediate their forward and rearward ends whereby said arms may berocked about said wheels as a fulcrum to adjust the level of the screed.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 in which said adjusting means are swingablyconnected to the frame of the machine adjacent the corresponding frontends of said stabilizing arms.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 in which said adjusting means comprises:

turnbuckles the corresponding upper ends being swingably connected tothe frame of the machine, the respective front ends of said stabilizingarms being pivotally connected to the corresponding lower ends of saidturnbuckles.

7. In a machine for discharging surface material, which machine has ahopper and a screed for leveling the discharged connected to saidmachine for vertical adjustment; and

grade following guide means supporting said arms intermediate theirforward and rearward ends, whereby said arms may be rocked about saidgrade following guide means as a fulcrum to adjust the height of saidscreed.

